We’ve all done it — dropped a gallery on our site titled Sarah + Tom and called it a day.

But here’s the truth: unless someone already knows Sarah and Tom, they’re probably going to scroll right past it.

In this blog, we’re diving into why naming your galleries based on the couple’s names isn’t as effective as you think — and how rethinking your titles can instantly elevate your portfolio, attract more dream clients, and increase the time people spend exploring your work.

Let’s break it down.

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Why “Sarah + Tom” Doesn’t Cut It

Imagine landing on a photographer’s website and seeing a gallery called “Emily + Josh.” What do you know about it? Nothing — unless the couple is already a friend of yours.

Naming your galleries solely after the couple might feel personal, but from a user-experience standpoint, it’s a missed opportunity. Your website is there to sell your work — and vague titles don’t convert curious browsers into booked clients.

Instead, what if the gallery was called:
💡 An Intimate Vineyard Wedding at Golden Hour in Sonoma
or
💡 A Coastal Charleston Elopement with Moody Super 8 Vibes

Way more compelling, right?

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A Lesson from Mean Girls (Yes, Really)

Let’s take it back to 2004. Remember when Janis Ian explained all the social cliques at North Shore High?

She knew how to categorize people so that everyone instantly understood who she was talking about — without needing to know anyone’s name.

That’s exactly what you should be doing on your website. Use titles and categories that instantly tell the viewer what kind of gallery they’re about to see — even if they’ve never met the couple.

If you’re curious, here’s the full Mean Girls cafeteria scene for a refresher.

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Create Categories That Speak to Style + Setting

Instead of organizing by name, consider grouping galleries by:

• Location (e.g. Downtown Charleston Rooftop Wedding)
• Season (e.g. Fall Wedding with Velvet Details)
• Vibe (e.g. Vintage-Film Inspired Super 8 Elopement)
• Color Palette (e.g. Neutral Toned Micro Wedding in the Desert)
• Venue (e.g. Biltmore Estate Garden Ceremony)

This not only helps with your SEO (read our guide on SEO for photographers here), but it also helps potential clients find galleries that reflect their vision.

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Bonus: It Helps You Sell Without “Selling”

When a potential client lands on your site and sees a gallery titled Moody Winter Elopement in the Blue Ridge Mountains, they’re not just looking at photos — they’re seeing themselves in the story.

Descriptive gallery titles subtly tell your ideal client:
🖤 “I shoot weddings like yours.”
🖤 “I’ve worked in venues you’re considering.”
🖤 “I understand the vibe you’re dreaming of.”

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The TL;DR: Swap the Names for Narrative

Here’s your quick takeaway:

❌ Lindsay + Aaron’s Wedding
✅ Luxe Ballroom Wedding at The Greenbrier with Romantic Candlelight

A small shift in your gallery titles can transform your website from a digital photo dump into a carefully curated portfolio that positions you as the go-to photographer for your dream client.

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Need Help Renaming + Restructuring Your Galleries?

At North+South, we specialize in helping photographers elevate their online presence — from strategic branding to website development that actually converts.

If you’re ready to swap the “Sarah + Tom” energy for something that books — you know where to find us <3